Accessing Hub

You can log-in to the Hub with your QMU IT credentials – your QMU matriculation number and password. If you have a problem with your password you can reset it using the self-service password reset service

Browser compatibility

Hub uses modern web standards and as such is not supported by older browsers such as Internet Explorer 6 or 7. For a full list of compatible browsers please visit the Blackboard Browser Support web page

Availability of Module areas

All QMU-based taught modules will have an associated online area within the Hub, accessible through the Home page, which you will see once you have logged in. You will also find areas for:

Learning Services

Careers

Student Services

You may also have access to a programme area, placement area, or other area in the Hub. Depending on your programme some of these non-teaching module areas may be visible and available from early September.

For students in collaborative partner institutions of QMU, your modules will be available from the start date of your programme.

If you believe that there are Semester 1 module areas missing from your Home, please contact the school office: schooloffice@qmu.ac.uk

Layout of Module areas

All Hub modules are based around a standard template customised by your tutor, a module menu typically includes links to:

Assessments

Learning Resource Area

Plagiarism and Referencing

Hub student help

All your module content and activities will be added by your tutor. You may also find other menu items linking to specific module material or activities.

Navigation and notification settings

For every Hub module you will receive email notifications to your QMU email account when:

An assignment has been made available

An announcement has been posted or edited

You can customise your notifications settings for individual modules, or all modules, by going to the Global Navigation menu at the top-right of your Hub screen, selecting Settings from the foot of this menu and then Edit Notification Settings.

Bulk Edit NotificationsSettings allows you to edit notifications for all or multiple module areas. The column for Dashboard is set to show notifications to you through the Student Notifications area in each module – these settings do not need to be adjusted as these will provide useful information for you. To change the Mobile or Email notification settings, select/unselect the box in the Email column to remove or add notifications as required.

All changes can be verified by looking at that specific module under the heading Edit Individual Course Settings.

You may also wish to have any notifications sent to you in a digest form once a day at around 3pm. To do this, choose the Edit General Setting option and select Daily Email Digest in section 1, General Settings: Courses.

Plagiarism checking tool

Every Hub module should have a menu item called "Plagiarism & Referencing" and in this section you will find a link to a 'Plagiarism Checking Tool' and also a link to the QMU student guide to avoiding plagiarism. This resource provides information and resources in relation to QMU's approach to plagiarism prevention.

The tool link can be used to check your draft referencing before submitting your assignment to the separate dropbox for marking. Further information about how to use the tool, including a detailed guide, is available on the Effective Learning Service web pages at:

Assessments

In Hub modules will have an assignment drop-box set up which can be accessed through the menu link to Assessments. The assignment dropboxes are set up and administered by the School Office, and not by the tutor for that module. In addition to a link to the Assignment dropbox, you will see a link to the QMU Assessment Regulations.

User guides The following resources are here to help students with locating and submitting to the assignment dropbox. There are two different types of submission dropboxes which can be differentiated by their icons. Please select the applicable guide below:

In many cases you will receive feedback on your assignments through your module in the Hub.

Group & Discussion boards

Groups

If you sign-up or are allocated to a group for your module, it is likely that you will have a group space, available through My Groups, below the main module menu.

In the group space you will be able to see the other members of your group and may have access to some group tools. The tools can include group discussions, group email and a tool to allow members of the group to share work-related files.

The group homepage displays all the members of the group, together with any tools that have been assigned to that group.

Some tutors may also make a quick link to groups available from the main menu area - this is more convenient if you are accessing from a mobile device.

Discussion boards

Your tutors may use discussions in the Hub for you to communicate with each other and work in groups. For further information about using discussions please visit the Blackboard student guide to using a Discussion Board.

Mobile App

Access course content and more - right from the Blackboard app on your phone. The Blackboard app is available to download from the below links:

Helpful Contacts

For further Hub related issues not covered above contact: tel@qmu.ac.uk

Accessibility

Ally integrates with Hub and checks uploaded resources against international accessibility standards. It creates alternative files that are easier to use by all students. Alternative files include readable text for screen readers and audio (MP3) files.